The first mistlands I found on a new seed, was actually mist islands. Just the rocky outcrops, all separated by water. Meant each one was self contained, and once I cleared each one, they were a lot safer. Slowly learned which "islands" would respawn mobs, and then farmed those. Harvested wood and hares on the that were mostly empty and safer. And if I got jumped by seeker soldiers, I could jump in the water and swim to my longship. Soldiers swimming really can't do much to the longship (a few hits when they bump it for 20-30 damage, no biggie).

I ran into more of these formations as I sailed on, just chains of scattered islands/rock outcroppings.

I had to explore a quarter of the map to find the more traditional meadows & mountains style of mistlands, where it was all above water.

So far I like the mistlands. Just had to learn to adapt. Stamina is WAY more important then in any other biome. If you're stamina isn't equal or higher then your health, then that's 90% of most people's issues with mistlands right there. Be the billy goat. Bah hah hah. Sproing sproing sproing up the side of the mountain.

And the new weapons! they are worth the grind. They're AWESOME. Himmin afl is my favorite right now. Thor would approve, yes he would.